Trochus
Taxonavigation
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Introduction
Juvenile Trochus sp. are generally found in the shallow areas among coral rubble, and adults occur in increasing densities towards the reef edge from the foreshore. They graze the reef for benthic algae and debris. Trochus reach reproductive maturity at approximately two years of age and can live for up to fifteen years.
Trochus get to a maximum size of about 20cm from base to tip, and are very powerful. They can and will knock frags and even rocks over unless properly held down.
They will eat almost any algae. T. nilioticus are even known to eat Bryopsis, however not all species will.
Characteristics
Classification
- T. -
Gallery
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Trochus sp. -
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Close up of the radulae
Resources
- The Grazing Snails, Part I - Turbo, Trochus, Astraea, and Kin by Ronald Shimek - Reefkeeping Magazine
- Embryonic Stages of Development of Trochus niloticus Observed Under a Microscope - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Biology of Marine Snails: Topshell, Trochus niloticus - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
References
FAQ
All my Trochus snails all climbed to the highest points on my live rock and started squirting out a milky liquid. What is this ?
It is typical spawning behaviour. The milky liquid is sperm and eggs.
What has triggered this event?
Spawning in these snails are triggered in a similar ways to coral. Often a change in salinity is a trigger but in the wild its synchronised to the phases of the moon. Love is in the air...
Am I likely to see any offspring from this ?
Not likely. There is short larval phase (3–5 days) in which the larvae are not likely to survive in a home aquarium.
How often do they do this?
In nature, about 4-5 times a year. In an aquarium conditions may never stimulate this, but usually happens a lot less than would normally happen in nature.
